Material Girls features an impressive lineup of artists at varying points in their careers including Chakaia Booker, Sonya Clark, Torkwase Dyson, Maya Freelon Asante, Maren Hassinger, Martha Jackson Jarvis, Joyce J. Scott and Renee' Stout. This exhibition highlights the materials they prod, ply and piece together in works that play on unique cultural meanings, personal memories and social agendas.

Curated by Dr. Michelle Joan Wilkinson, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Material Girls explores the intersection of art and craft with works of art made with both traditional mediums--wood, Clay, paper, and glass--and non-traditional ones--rubber tires, plastic bags, model cars and human hair. Works on view feature intimate, handcrafted beadwork to monumental sculptures with industrial materials weighing over 1,000 pounds.

"The caliber and creativity of these artists is astounding," notes Dr. Wilkinson. "Their sculptural works have a highly sensory appeal, ranging from the gleaming visual surfaces of hand blown glass to coarse textures of volcanic stone. A key concern is environmental issues, and many of the artists use recycled materials in their works."